2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Brakes Problems

I was driving full freeway speed when the brake assist system suddenly engaged which slammed on my brakes immediately and sent me skidding all over the freeway trying to maintain control of the vehicle and not crash into anything. All the while the cars behind me had to veer out of the way. Several accidents were almost caused by this incident. This safety feature is now a safety hazard. This should never ever happen. This I'd comparable to an airbag suddenly deploying while driving. An absolutely terrifying experience. The bas fct light came on which is how I learned of the brake assist system. This problem is repeatable because it happened 2 more times as I had to get my vehicle home but luckily I didn't date take the freeway again. Problem just started 5/7/23 without any warning at all.

NHTSA ID

11521278

Incident

May 7, 2023

Hard braking suddenly activated without driver input, smoke coming from front wheels. YAW SENSOR malfunction indicated by OBD scanner (checked after incident)

NHTSA ID

11515596

Incident

Dec 1, 2022

SRS. ETS. ABA LIGHTS ON. BUZZING. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327057

Incident

Jun 2, 2020

Mileage

195,000 mi

SUDDEN AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKES DUE TO BREAKAGE OF FRONT STEEL BRAKE LINES, LOST ALL FLUID, FORTUNATELY HAPPENED IN THE PARKING LOT AND NOT DURING A RECENT TRIP TO MASS AND NEW YORK CITY

NHTSA ID

10862273

Incident

Apr 22, 2016

Mileage

8 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL DOWN BOTH PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS, THEY FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE ABS, BRAKE FAILURE SWITCH, AND ESP WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN USING THE POWER STEERING TO ATTEMPT TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION OF THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE COMPLETING THE TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

10839162

Incident

Jan 15, 2016

Mileage

200,000 mi

WAS DRIVING TRUCK AT HIGHWAY, WHEN BRAKES ACTIVATED BY ITSELF, ABS, TRACTION LIGHT, BRAKE LAMP AND HAZARDS FLASHED. HAD TO IMMEDIATELY MOVE TO SIDE OF ROAD, WHILE BRAKES WHERE ACTIVATING. FELT AS IF ABS WAS ACTIVATING AS IF I WAS SLIDING ON AND ICY ROAD. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED AS I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE MORE THAT 5 FEET

NHTSA ID

10744220

Incident

Jul 24, 2015

Mileage

160,020 mi

BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY SUDDENLY WHEN MY MECHANIC WAS MOVING AUTO FROM HIS GARAGE AFTER SERVICING MY TRANSMISSION I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD I PICKED UP MY CAR WITHOUT THAT HAPPENING TO HIM NEVER EXPECTED A BRAKE LINE TO RUST AND CAUSE BRAKES TO SUDDENLY BE GONE I AM SO WORRIED ANOTHER CAR WILL CAUSE DEATHS IF THIS DEFECT IS NOT KNOWN TO OWNER

NHTSA ID

10723147

Incident

Jun 2, 2015

Mileage

16,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TEST DRIVEN BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10723135

Incident

Jun 2, 2015

Mileage

150,000 mi

I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF A SITUATION WHERE THE ABS, ESP, AND ETS LIGHTS COME ON AND A NOISE OCCURS WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AT LOW SPEEDS. THE NOISE STOPS ONLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION THAT OCCURS THAT CAN BE FELT BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE NOISE CONTINUES AS SOON AS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. THE CAR BECOMES DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN DOES NOT CLEAR THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, A NOISE CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT SOUNDS LIKE A MOTOR OR A FAN THAT IS RUNNING. THIS CONTINUES FOR HOURS. THE HOOD OF THE CAR BECOMES WARM TO HOT TO THE TOUCH. AT SOME POINT THE FAN OR MOTOR STOPS RUNNING. IF THE CAR BATTERY HAS NOT BEEN DRAINED, THE CAR FUNCTIONS NORMALLY--UNTIL THE NEXT TIME THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURS. AFTER A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, I FOUND MANY SIMILAR REPORTS OF THESE SYMPTOMS BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR YEAR OF MANUFACTURE. THE VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE RECEIVED DIAGNOSES OF A BAD ABS CONTROL MODULE, A BAD ABS PUMP, BAD SOLDER JOINTS ON THE ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY'S CIRCUIT BOARD, OR BAD RELAYS IN THE FUSE BOX. REPAIRS HAVE COST IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR WHAT IS APPARENTLY, A KNOWN DEFECT. DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO FRIGHTENING INCIDENTS WHERE THEIR SAFETY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED BY THEIR VEHICLES. I REALIZE THAT THE LAW GOVERNS SAFETY DEFECTS IN CARS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE LAST 10 YEARS. HOWEVER, PEOPLE WITH OLDER CARS NEED RECOURSE FOR KNOWN DEFECTS. A MERCEDES SUCH AS MINE, THAT ONLY HAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 100K MILES AND THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, HAS A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF AT LEAST ANOTHER 50K TO 100K MILES. HOWEVER, THEY SHOULD BE SAFE MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10694066

Incident

Apr 9, 2013

Mileage

96,000 mi

VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES OFF ITS ANTI-LOCK-BRAKE AND ELECTRONIC-STABILITY-CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR UNKNOWN REASON, THEREBY ENDANGERING ITS DRIVER AND PASSENGERS, AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLE'S DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS, EVERY TIME IT'S DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10678446

Incident

Dec 31, 2014

Mileage

130,000 mi

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, I WAS USING MY CRUISE CONTROL (LUCKILY JUST AFTER HEAVY TRAFFIC HOURS) JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DAY. A CAR SLOWED IN FRONT OF ME, SO I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES. AS SOON AS I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKES NOT ONLY DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE BRAKES GOT STIFF AND WOULD NOT WORK NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED THEM. AT THE SAME TIME THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED AND THE CAR WAS TRYING TO GO WHAT SEEMS LIKE 130-140 MPH. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO TRY AND KEEP IT AT AN APPROPRIATE SPEED. LUCKILY MY PASSENGER TOLD ME TO STAY CALM AND TRIED TO HELP ME DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I HAD TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO THE SLOWEST LANE AND SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL. THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION I HAD BESIDES CRASHING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I AM EXTREMELY SHAKEN FROM THIS EVENT, I HAVE ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS WHENEVER I DRIVE ANY VEHICLE NOW. I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A PHYSICIAN TO HELP ME WORK OUT SOME KIND OF TREATMENT/THERAPY.

NHTSA ID

10545058

Incident

Sep 21, 2013

Mileage

185,630 mi

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295 IN JACKSONVILLE FL AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP FOR 5-10 SECONDS AND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT CAME ON. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ACCIDENTALLY CUT OFF SEVERAL CARS IN THE LANE TO MY RIGHT. FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS INJURED, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS! AFTER STOPPING, AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF, AT AN EXIT FOR SO I COULD SEE IF I COULD SPOT ANYTHING I TRIED TO MAKE MY WAY HOME (OFF THE INTERSTATE). THE BAS/ESP LIGHT WAS OFF, AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE ALRIGHT. HOWEVER, AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AGAIN. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 MPH, BUT I WAS FORCED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WAS A CAR BEHIND ME, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET AROUND ME SAFELY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10523462

Incident

Jul 6, 2013

Mileage

145,500 mi

THE VEHICLE BRAKES, WITHIN A FIVE SECOND PERIOD, VIOLENTLY ENGAGE AT SEEMING RANDOM PATTERNS AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS HAPPENED TWICE ON TWO DIFFERENT DAYS ROUGHLY A MONTH APART, AND ONLY TWICE, IN THE SAME LOCATION AT EXACTLY THE SAME DRIVING CONDITIONS (VEHICLE SPEED, WEATHER - SUNNY DAY NO RAIN, STRAIGHT ROAD, LIGHT TRAFFIC, SAME 25-30 MPH SPEED). I WENT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER IN TYSONS CORNER AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW OF A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE LOCATION IS THAT IT IS IN WITHIN 50M OF HIGH CAPACITY POWER LINES WHICH GO OVER THE ROAD, AND WITHIN 300M OF AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL RADIO ANTENNA TRUCTURE TOWER. I BELIEVE THE ELECTRONICS OF ONE OR BOTH OF THESE ARE CAUSING THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC STABLILITY CONTROL /BRAKE ASSIST COMPUTER TO GO HAYWIRE AND CAUSE A COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE LOCATION IS ON ROUTE 29 LEE HIGHWAY, VA RIGHT BEFORE THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES OVER THE BELTWAY GOING WESTBOUND, JUST PAST WHERE YOU CROSS UNDER THE POWER LINES THAT GO OVERHEAD. THE RADIO TOWER IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS BRIDGE. 95% OF THE TIME I DROVE THIS EXACT ROUTE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN, SO IT IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. TURNING THE ENGINE OFF TWICE SEEMS TO RESET THE SYSTEM AND IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE. ALSO NOTE THAT THESE POWERLINES, WITHOUT FAIL, ALSO CAUSE THE SAME CAR'S ALARM TO GO OFF 100% OF THE TIME WHEN I PARK WITHIN 100M OF THEM. THE DEALER DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR CAN HAVE A SPONTANEOUS CAR ALARM ISSUE. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE CARS BRAKING SAFETY COMPUTER AND PREVENT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE FOR SOMEONE ELSE. IT WOULD USEFUL FOR YOUR STAFF TO USE A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TO MAP THE SIMILAR INCIDENTS. I SUSPECT THEY ARE ALL NEAR ELECTRICAL OR RADIO INTERFERENCE AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10512543

Incident

Apr 16, 2013

Mileage

77,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AND ABRUPTLY THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SKID AND IT ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10512382

Incident

May 15, 2013

Mileage

160,000 mi

FIRST INCIDENT IN AUGUST 2012 DRIVING 20-30 MPH JUST GOT ON HWY AND CAR SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON BRAKES. COULD NOT GO OVER 1000RPM WITHOUT BRAKES ENGAGING BUT FORTUNATELY A POLICEMAN WHO WITNESSED THIS ESCORTED US TO SAFETY ON SINGLE LANE HWY VERY DANGEROUS. REPLACED YAW RATE SENSOR FOR $1000. NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN 2/27/13 AND IS UNDRIVABLE. MOST LIKELY FACING ANOTHER REPLACEMENT OF YAW RATE SENSOR FOR ANOTHER $1000 THAT ONLY LASTED 6 MONTHS LAST TIME. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THESE SAME STORIES ONLINE AND RIDICULOUS THAT MERCEDES BENZ WITH ITS CLASSY REPUTATION WOULD NOT RECALL SUCH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED TO JUSTIFY A RECALL?! I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ANYMORE AND STILL OWE ON THIS HUNK OF JUNK SO I AM STUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10500778

Incident

Aug 9, 2012

Mileage

79,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55-58 MPH FOR NO REASON BRAKES ENGAGED AND LOCKED WHEELS. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TIRES AND ESP LIGHT CAME ON. MY WIFE (SHE WAS DRIVING) AND TWO SMALL KIDS AS WELL AS I WERE SCARED TO DEATH. WE WERE LUCKY, NOBODY WAS RIGHT BEHIND US AND WE AVOIDED ACCIDENT. AFTER THE ESP LIGHT COME ON EVERYTHING WENT TO NORMAL. WE FINISHED OUR TRIP WITH NO MORE BRAKE INCIDENTS. NEXT DAY AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR LIGHT WAS OFF BUT BRAKES LOCKED IN THE MOMENT RPM WENT OVER 1000. SPEED AT THAT TIME WAS ONLY 5-10 MPH. AFTER COMPLETE STOP ESP LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE MY TRIP. NONE OF THE MERCEDES BENZ MECHANICS WANTED TO TELL ME WHAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE LIKE THAT FOR THE NEXT YEAR. EVERY TIME I WOULD DRIVE WITHOUT THE ESP LIGHT ON THE BRAKES WILL LOCK IN AND BRING THE CAR TO COMPLETE STOP. I ALSO LEARN THAT IF I START THE CAR AND WAIT FIVE MINUTES LIGHT WILL COME ON AND I CAN RIDE WITHOUT BRAKES LOCKING IN. THIS WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT THEN ESP LIGHT STOPPED COMING ON BEFORE DRIVING AND I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE AND CAUSE THE LIGHT TO COME ON. AT THAT TIME ON APRIL 2011 I HAD THE CAR TESTED AT THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT HAS FAULTY YAW RATE SENSOR AND THE PART COST IS ABOUT $550.00 NOT COUNTING LABOR. I DIDN'T HAVE THIS REPLACED BECAUSE THE COST OF IT AND BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID TRAGEDY ONE DAY. SOMEDAY SOMEBODY WILL DIE IN THE CAR ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS FAULTY YAW RATE SENSOR AND NOBODY WILL EVEN KNOW WHAT LED TO THIS CRUSH. PLEASE HAVE THIS CHECKED QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEBODY WILL GET HURT AND WHO KNOWS MAYBE SOMEBODY ALREADY DID DIE ALREADY AND WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT. THERE WERE A LOT OF IDENTICAL INCIDENTS REPORTED. IT IS DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR ON MERCEDES BENZ PART. REGARDS, ML320 USER *TR

NHTSA ID

10496136

Incident

Jan 12, 2011

Mileage

180,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AROUND 50MPH ON THE BQE ROAD (NY), SUDDENLY THE BAS/ESP LIGHT CAME ON, ALL THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP. WARNING LIGHT ON A DASHBOARD WAS FLASHING AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE ENGINE DIED. *TR NOT REALIZING WHAT IS HAPPENING, I TRIED TO ADD POWER/GAS TO THE CAR, BUT THE ENGINE DIDN'T WANT TO GO PAST 1000 RPM. BEING IN A FAST LANE AND HAVING HARD TIME CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR, I??VE NOTICED OVERPOWERING SMELL OF THE BRAKES. I WAS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED BY THE EVENT AS THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND I WAS JUST HOPING NO ONE WILL REAR ME. STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL HAD ALMOST NO RESULT EVEN THOUGH THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING. IT THEN STARTED TO ACCELERATE VERY SLOWLY WHEN MY FOOT WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. SOME 5-10 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND BEHAVING AS NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. HOWEVER, 15 MINUTES INTO THE RIDE, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THIS TIME, I WAS DRIVING IN A SLOW LANE - SOME 30-35 MPH. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE CAR REST FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND IT STARED FINE AND DROVE FINE FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING. ONCE I PARKED THE CAR, THE BAS ESP LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK THE CAR VERY NEXT DAY TO A CAR MECHANIC, BUT THE COMPUTER READING DIDN??T GIVE ANY ERRORS, FAULTS NOR NOTIFICATIONS. BY THAT TIME, THE ESP LIGHT WAS OFF ONCE AGAIN. THE INCIDENT RECURRED 3 DAYS LATER WHILE COMING TO A STOP DUE TO A TRAFFIC LIGHTS - SOME 15-20 MPH. MY MECHANIC (AND MY INTERNET SEARCH) ADVISED ME TO CHANGE THE YAW SENSOR. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE SENSOR CAN BECOME FAULTY, BUT FULLY ENGAGING THE BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I'M NOW WAITING FOR THE YAW SENSOR TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10470361

Incident

Aug 5, 2012

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CAUTION AND ESP LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF FOR A FEW MOMENTS. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL AND WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE YAW RATE SENSOR WAS RELACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT ANOTHER SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.

NHTSA ID

10415253

Incident

Jul 7, 2011

Mileage

215,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF A 2000 MERCEDES ML320 FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER WITH APPROX. 30,000 MILES. TODAY IT HAS APPROX 73,000 MILES. SINCE OWNING IT, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WHICH WERE ALL OUT OF WARRANTY AND WHICH I FEEL WERE UNWARRANTED AND WERE NOT SERIOUSLY ATTENDED TO BY MB OR THE DEALER: THIS COMPLAINT FORM WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE ACCORDING TO THE FIELDS PROVIDED. THE EQUIPMENT INFORMATION INCLUDED IS NOT CORRECT AND WAS INCLUDED JUST TO GET TO THE FORM. I FELT THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SHOULD BE REPORTED SPECIFICALLY THE ESP LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG PROBLEMS AT ABOUT 51,000 MILES, THE AIRBAG BECAME INOPERATIVE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2000 TO REPAIR AND CORRECT. DEALER OFFERED A SMALL ADJUSTMENT. I CHOSE NOT TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT. AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES, I BEGAN HAVING VERY LOUD NOISES THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE CRANKSHAFT AND APPEARED TO BE A BRAKE PROBLEM. DEALER DID TRY TO DETERMINE WHAT IT WAS, BUT COULDN'T ISOLATE THE PROBLEM UNLESS "HE HAD TO TAKE THE WHOLE CAR APART" THERE WAS A RELATED PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ESP LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY THAT THE DEALER ADVISED COULD NOT BE ISOLATED UNLESS I DID THE WORK ON THE BRAKE AND THE CRANKSHAFT:" AT ABOUT 72,000 MILES, THE CAR DEVELOPED OIL LEAKS FROM THE MOTOR. EST. COST OF REPAIR WAS $2000. WE ARE WATCHING AND WAITING. IN MAY, I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL OF THE CAR. NO WORD ON THAT ISSUE SINCE. BECAUSE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL NOTICE I RECEIVED, I WAS PROMPTED TO WRITE YOU ABOUT THESE OTHER ISSUES AND BECAME FURTHER CONCERNED ABOUT THE ESP LIGHT AND THE FAULTY AIR BAG THE CARE HAS HAD., CAR IS DRIVEN AN AVERAGE OF 150 MILES A WEEK IN MOSTLY CITY DRIVING. CAR IS SERVICED BUT NOT BY THE DEALER BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST AND RELATIVE DISSATISFACTION FROM THE SERVICE PROVIDED. UPDATED 07/27/11 *TR

NHTSA ID

10408880

Incident

Jun 1, 2004

Mileage

51,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AND WHEN SHE TAPPED ON THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE COMPONENT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AS OPPOSED TO DECELERATING. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING ANY FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES AND EACH TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IDENTICAL, DIAGNOSIS WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10404383

Incident

Dec 22, 2005

Mileage

100,000 mi

I OWN A 2000 ML320 MERCEDES BENZ. IN 4 DIFFERENT EVENTS THE CAR APPLIES BRAKES ON TIRES RANDOMLY AND THE CAR COMES TO A STOP AND PULLS AND JERKS TO THAT SIDE THE ESP LIGHT BLINK ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND BAS/ESP LIGHT COMES ON. MY WIFE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL FROM STOCKTON TO LATHROP ON I-5 HAD THIS PROBLEM TOO AND IT REALLY SCARED THEM LUCKILY THE RIGHT LANE WAS EMPTY AND THEY MANAGED TO SOMEHOW PULL OVER. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. THE BRAKES AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY APPLIES ON BY ITSELF RANDOMLY CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK OR STOP AND PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT MAKE THE CAR MOVE DUE TO THE LACK OF POWER AND CAR WON'T PASS 1000RPM RESTARTING THE ENGINE RESETS THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT OCCURS AGAIN. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THIS IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO A BAD "YAW RATE SENSOR" I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ON 3 OTHER OCCASIONS DRIVING AROUND 30-40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC AND THE DRIVING CONDITIONS WAS CLEAN ON A STRAIGHTAWAY ROAD. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSES TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS A MAJOR SAFETY RECALL THEY WANT $300 TO LOOK AT THE CAR $500 FOR YAW SENSOR AND $600 FOR LABOR AND THEY WILL NOT GUARANTEE IF IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP I DO NOT WANT MY WIFE AND KIDS GET IN TO A CAR ACCIDENT BUT THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10354566

Incident

Sep 8, 2010

Mileage

150,000 mi

I PURCHASE A MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 USED WITH APPROX. 78K MILES. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 105K MILES, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NORMAL, AND NO OFF ROAD ACTIVITY THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD ACTIVATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL SUDDENLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON WHICH SIDE HAD BEEN ACTIVATED WITH NO INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. THE INCIDENT WOULD LAST ANYWHERE FROM THREE TO FIVE SECONDS IN DURATION AND LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES 5 TO BE EXACT ALL AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE LAST EPISODE I WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH WHEN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND JERKED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT, THANK GOD, NO ON WAS COMING AT ME AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND A YAW SENSOR ORDERED. I HAVE READ PREVIOUSLY THAT A SIMILAR COMPLAINT HAD BEEN FILED AND CLOSED BACK IN 2007. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, BECAUSE IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY AND AT ANY SPEED! *TR

NHTSA ID

10349577

Incident

Aug 12, 2010

Mileage

105,325 mi

2000 ML320 VEHICLE ENGAGES BAS / ESP SYSTEM DURING LEFT TURN AFTER WHICH THESE WARNING LIGHTS REMAIN ON. ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES BRAKES CAUSING LOSS OF SPEED. OCCURS IN WET OR DRY CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10330364

Incident

May 13, 2010

Mileage

121,006 mi

2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 WHILE DRIVING 45MPH THE BRAKES CAME ON SUDDENLY WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THEN RELEASED ITSELF. THE BAS ESP LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FINE. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE FAILURE. THIS STATED ONLY A FEW SENSOR HAS GONE BAD ONCE AGAIN. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TO SIX TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10325468

Incident

Apr 5, 2008

Mileage

80,300 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY ENGAGED ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT THAT HAD NOT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THEN RELEASED WITHIN TWO TO THREE MINUTES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE BUT THE ESP LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ESP PUMP VOLTAGE RELAY STUCK HAD A SHORTAGE IN SOME OF THE WIRES. THE RELAY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE, THE DEALER COULD NOT PINPOINT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,648. UPDATED 05/18/10. *LJ

NHTSA ID

10324443

Incident

Apr 4, 2010

Mileage

141,772 mi